CONFERENCE TRACK 2

Earn 12 PDH Credits

Tuesday, October 21, 08:00 – 10:00 AM

Session #1: CTI Seminar – Cooling Towers In Industrial Plants

Chair: Frank Foster, Membership Committee Chair, CTI

Speaker #1: Rotating & Reciprocating Equipment Foundation Repair

 Tom Kline, Senior Technical Director – Concrete Repair Solutions, STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

A critical component for process equipment is its foundation. The foundation transfers the operating loads from the equipment through the foundation “system” and ultimately to the underlying bearing soils. The Presentation will focus on existing foundation trends, design, grout, anchor bolts, and foundation assessment. Additionally, vibration analysis, repair guidelines, vibration reduction, as well as increased reliability will be discussed. A Case History of a Refinery Compressor evaluation & repair will also be provided to illustrate the process.

With over 45 years of experience in structural repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures, Tom Kline has experience in investigation, design, planning and execution – having worked on over 2,500 individual projects. He has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience both nationally and internationally for Structural Group companies. Kline has led and developed a team of technical experts in providing design-build capabilities, developing turnkey repair strategies and implementing sophisticated and verifiable repair programs for a wide range of concrete repair projects.

Speaker #2: The Importance of CTI Certification for Dry & Adiabatic Coolers

Troy Reineck, Business Development Manager, EVAPCO

Dry and adiabatic coolers serve critical loads in today’s world.  Assurance of full thermal performance is crucial to reducing energy consumption as well as meeting sustainability goals.  This talk will review the benefits of CTI Thermal Certification in achieving these goals.

Troy Reineck has been with EVAPCO since 2007 and is currently Business Development Manager. Prior to his current role, Reineck has held internal positions in Open Cooling Towers, Closed Circuit Coolers and, most recently, as the EVAPCO Professor. He also has sales experience with a HVAC Sales & Service Representative firm in Boston, MA. Prior to Reineck’s time with EVAPCO, he held positions in design, manufacturing and sales engineering in the automotive industry. He earned a BSME from GMI Engineering & Management Institute.

Speaker #3: Sound Control Strategies for Cooling Tower Fans

Tony McCauslin, Vice President of Sales, Moore Fans

Cooling towers play a vital role in industrial and HVAC applications, but fan-generated noise remains a significant operational challenge. As regulatory pressure and community sensitivity to environmental noise increase, operators must address fan noise without compromising cooling performance or efficiency.

This presentation examines the noise testing of towers (Cooling Technology Institute ATC-128) and primary options for reducing cooling tower fan noise.  Potential strategies include reducing fan rotational speed, adopting specialized low-noise fan designs that optimize aerodynamic performance and implementing variable frequency drives to enable flexible fan operation tailored to cooling load and noise requirements. By integrating these solutions, operators can achieve a balanced approach to noise reduction, energy efficiency and long-term equipment performance.

Tony McCauslin is the Vice President of Sales at Moore Fans, an industrial fan manufacturer since 1940.  He has over 25 years of experience in industrial cooling air-moving equipment.  Throughout his career, he has led projects in cooling tower optimization, low-noise fan technology and energy-efficient system upgrades across power, HVAC and process industries.

OPENING SESSION

Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 10:15 – 12:00 PM. Join us in room 2103AB for The Opening Session.

Attendees will earn 2 PDH credits.

Wednesday, October 22, 08:00 – 10:00 AM

Session #2: Compressed Air Quality for Reduced Downtime, Worker Safety and Production Quality

Chair: Nikki Smith, Air Quality Business Leader, Trace Analytics

Speaker #1: Clean, Safe Breathing Air: How Compressed Air Testing Safeguards Your Workforce

Nikki Smith, Air Quality Business Leader, Trace Analytics

Many manufacturing facilities use compressed breathing air at their sites, but if not regularly monitored, this air can put employees at risk. OSHA safety requirements include routine compressed air testing and monitoring. Learn more about the contaminants to watch for, types of testing available and how to ensure your compressed air is safe to breathe.

Nikki Smith is the Air Quality Business Leader at Trace Analytics, a leading laboratory for compressed air quality testing. Smith was the Quality Director for six years, in which she focused on continuous improvement of laboratory processes and technology, before becoming the business leader in 2019. As the business leader, she oversees all aspects of the laboratory strategy and development.

Speaker #2: What Level of Compressed Air Quality Does My Plant Require?

Tim Dugan, President, Compression Engineering

As an auditor and system designer, the presenter will look at the air quality question from a system design, capital cost, energy efficiency and redundancy approach.  The “system” is all the equipment and controls in the compressor room, not any one item (like a dryer or a filter). The presentation will compare several system design alternatives that meet best practices design for differing air quality requirements and learn about the impact of the air quality decision.

Tim Dugan is a mechanical engineer, a registered Professional Engineer in OR, WA and CA. He has 24 years of independent industrial compressed air, process air, vacuum system and pumping systems consulting and 13 years of compressed air package design at an OEM and an integrator. His direct industrial clients include major manufacturers and processing companies in a huge variety of industries, from Pulp and Paper to Aerospace. Dugan’s assessment work includes many other rotating machinery systems, including vacuum, pumping, process ventilation and more. His project work includes metering design, baseline analysis, mechanical and controls design, energy efficiency simulation and commissioning of all shapes and sizes compressed air systems.

Speaker #3: Why Plants Specify Equipment Enclosures for Compressed Air & Nitrogen Systems

Tyler Morrell, VP Sales & Operations, Airmatic Compressor Systems

Explore how containerized solutions and equipment enclosures are transforming the way facilities approach compressed air system installations (along with N2 generation and vacuum). This session will highlight the practical benefits of enclosures – from saving valuable factory floor space to improving serviceability, extending equipment life and more. It’ll also discuss what’s trending in the global marketplace to highlight the recently increased popularity of enclosures in the U.S. Lastly, the presentation will review limitations and proper applications for an enclosure type system.

Tyler Morrell, CCASS, is the Vice President of Sales & Operations at Airmatic Compressor Systems. He oversees the company’s Northeast sales and service expansion, along with managing the design, sales and fabrication of custom equipment enclosures and skids nationally. He brings deep industry expertise from his previous roles managing distributor networks at ELGi North America, regional direct sales at Quincy Compressor and a decade of local sales/service experience at Midstate Air Compressor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from Quinnipiac University.

Speaker #4: Compressed Air Quality Testing for Sustainable Production

Francisco Lara, Managing Director, Airtec Global

This presentation will explore how compressed air quality testing plays a critical role in advancing sustainable manufacturing practices. Attendees will gain a technical understanding of ISO 8573-1 air quality standards and how they apply to different industries; the impact of contaminants (water, oil, particles) on product quality, equipment performance and energy consumption; how poor air quality contributes to waste, rework and unplanned maintenance, affecting sustainability metrics; the link between air system efficiency and carbon footprint reduction, aligned with ESG goals and tools, technologies and best practices for real-time air quality monitoring and lab testing.

It’ll also share case studies showing measurable improvements in waste reduction, and system reliability through proper air quality management. By the end, engineers will understand how integrating air quality testing into routine operations can lead to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and meaningful progress toward corporate sustainability targets.

Francisco Lara has served as the head of operations for Airtec Global for over 10 years, a company dedicated to the optimization and efficiency for compressed air systems. He has more than 15 years of experience in compressed air systems, from the generation to the point of use, as well as over five years of experience in compressed air quality monitoring audits and monitoring solutions for manufacturing facilities, from pharmaceutical to automotive and many other sectors.

PLENARY SESSION

Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 10:15 – 12:00 PM. Join us in room 2103AB for The Plenary Session.

Attendees will earn 2 PDH credits.

Thursday, October 23, 08:00 – 10:00 AM

Session #3: Maintenance Monitoring Tools to Eliminate Leaks and Pressure Loss

Chair: Rachel Leins, Program Manager, TRC

Speaker #1: Unlocking Savings: Utility Incentives and Compressed Air Leak Detection

Rachel Leins, Program Manager, TRC

Compressed air is often called the “fourth utility” and is essential to industrial operations – but undetected leaks are like hidden breathing difficulties within your system. By partnering with utility incentive programs, compressed air leak professionals can actively diagnose and repair these inefficiencies. Addressing leaks and system defects not only reduces compressed air demand, but also trims utility bills and helps achieve critical carbon emission targets.

This presentation will discuss the impact of leaks such as how subtle leaks contribute to high energy waste, excess wear on air compressors and forced equipment upgrades. It’ll share an overview of industrial rebate programs and show real-world examples displaying substantial utility rebates and rapid payback periods through system audit and leak control initiatives.

Rachel Leins CAPM, C.E.M., DCEP, LEED® Green Associate, has a background in energy management and brings a unique blend of expertise in energy efficiency, culture change around sustainability and cost-saving strategies. Throughout her career, Leins had the privilege of spearheading impactful initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints and enhancing operational efficiency. Whether it’s conducting comprehensive energy audits, advising on cutting-edge technologies or fostering a culture of energy consciousness, she thrives on finding innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Speaker #2: Measuring and Maintaining Downstream Compressed Air Systems

Matt Broxterman, Business Developing Manager, VPInstruments

Start your optimizations where waste occurs. Demand-side inefficiencies, such as leaks, artificial demand, network issues and inappropriate use are the biggest sources of energy loss. Tackling these first, in line with ISO 11011, can cut compressed air costs by 30-50% and creates a solid foundation before addressing the supply side. Data makes the difference: instruments reveal hidden inefficiencies, guide smart investments and permanent monitoring ensures savings are sustained.

Broxterman brings over a decade of experience in industrial sales and a strong background in compressed air solutions.

Speaker #3: Culture Change vs Next Gen Tools and Gadgets

Ivan Suslaev, President,  ADG Concepts

The best tools in the world won’t fix a problem for good if the culture around them doesn’t change. In this session, we’ll challenge the idea that technology alone is the answer to compressed air system efficiency. Instead, we’ll dive into what it takes to build a sustainable, efficient compressed air system from the inside out. Your compressed air system is only as efficient as the people who operate it. While the latest gadgets can provide data, they can’t change habits. We’ll provide practical strategies for uniting your team around a common goal, making every employee an asset in your quest for sustained operational excellence.

Ivan Suslaev’s story is one of true entrepreneurial grit and visionary leadership, with his family’s flight from Soviet Union under the iron curtain setting the stage for his early forays into entrepreneurship. In 2007, Ivan founded ADG Concepts, venturing into the market of compressed air technology. Fascinated by its development and potential for improvement, Suslaev has dedicated himself to elevating the industry.

Speaker #4: Understanding and (Properly) Estimating the Benefits of Reducing Leaks

Ryan Connor, Industrial Systems Engineer, Efficiency Manitoba

Reducing leaks in a compressed air system is one of the most effective ways of reducing operating costs. However, estimating the savings is not as straightforward as it seems. Some of the typical approaches are flawed, resulting in misleading savings estimates and may overlook potential system control issues. This presentation will walk through how reducing leaks can impact a system, what factors to keep in mind before repairing leaks and provide the tools and knowledge to properly estimate the impact on the bottom line.

Ryan Connor, Industrial Systems Engineer, Efficiency Manitoba, has 13 years of experience in the compressed air field. As the compressed air system specialist for the Demand Side Management programs at Efficiency Manitoba, Connor is responsible for the measurement and verification of energy savings for projects throughout the province. He has developed data analysis procedures and system simulation models to improve the accuracy of energy savings estimates and help clients optimize their system designs.

Thursday, October 23, 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Session #4: Maintaining and Improving System Performance and Reliability 

Chair: Peter Vinck, President, Inflow Corporation

Speaker #1: Optimizing Compressed Air Systems with Generative AI

Peter Vinck, President, Inflow Corp.

This presentation envisions a future where generative AI delivers real-time recommendations to optimize air compressor settings based on demand, weather and production schedules. It will showcase how AI reduces costs and downtime through efficient system management. The discussion includes AI-driven features like detailed reporting, time period comparisons, utility incentive forecasting and behavioral analysis for production forecasting and peak management. Additionally, long-term data storage with retrospective analysis ensures ongoing improvements in compressed air system performance.

Peter Vinck is the Founder and Senior Engineering Consultant at Inflow Corporation, where he has spent 15 years independently designing, data logging and optimizing industrial compressed air systems. Before launching Inflow, he served as an Energy Efficiency Engineer at a major electric utility, a system designer and auditor for a top equipment vendor and began his career as an application and sales engineer for a leading compressed air manufacturer.

Speaker #2: Cooling Towers 2025: When Sustainability Meets Profitability

Doug White, VP of Business Development, Clear Comfort

This presentation will explore why cooling sustainability has been slow to progress, what’s changing in 2025 and how attendees can take advantage of new, non-disruptive water treatment technologies that enhance efficiency, cut costs and meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. Using real-world case studies, the presentation will demonstrate how facilities have successfully optimized cooling operations while reducing expenses and compliance risks. Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable framework for implementing a profitable, sustainable cooling strategy at their own facilities.

Doug White, VP of Business Development, Clear Comfort, is an experienced leader in industrial water treatment, with a career focused on helping facilities optimize water quality, system efficiency and operational reliability. With over a decade of experience in advanced water treatment solutions, he has worked extensively with industrial and commercial facilities to implement sustainable, cost-effective and high-performance cooling water management strategies.

Speaker #3: Maintaining and Operating Rotary Screw Air Compressors in Hot or Cold Ambient Conditions

Manhar Grewal, Product Manager, Kaishan

Manhar Grewal, Product Manager, Kaishan Compressor USA, brings a wealth of experience from his career in the compressor and manufacturing industries. Previously, he was a global product management leader at SPX FLOW, leading a cross-functional team managing seven global brands across distribution, rental, e-commerce and retail. Before that, he served six years at Sullair in roles ranging from application engineer to commercial systems product manager. Grewal holds a degree in nuclear engineering from Purdue University.

Speaker #4: Optimizing Industrial Chillers & Cooling Towers with Advanced Polyamine Emulsion Technology

Logan Manaranche, Vice President, Odyssee USA

This presentation explores the application of polyamine emulsion technology as an advanced, sustainable solution for cooling water treatment. By using long-chain filming amines and tailored dispersant formulations, polyamine emulsions form protective molecular films on metal surfaces, effectively mitigating corrosion, scaling and microbial growth while optimizing heat transfer efficiency.

Through real-world case studies, attendees will gain data-driven insights into how this innovative approach enhances chiller and cooling tower performance, reduces blowdown water losses and extends equipment lifespan. It’ll also cover best practices for implementing polyamine-based treatments, integrating predictive monitoring techniques, and aligning water treatment programs with sustainability and cost-efficiency goals. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how polyamine emulsions can revolutionize cooling system maintenance, minimize environmental impact and drive long-term operational savings.

Logan Manaranche is a Chemical Engineer with extensive expertise in industrial water treatment and process optimization. He joined ODYSSEE Environnement in 2013 as a Technical Engineer in France, where he specialized in the development and implementation of innovative water treatment solutions. Over the years, he has played a key role in optimizing water management strategies for industrial applications, ensuring both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Now serving as Vice President of ODYSSEE USA INC., Manaranche provides technical support and strategic guidance across the American continent, leveraging his in-depth knowledge of water chemistry, corrosion control, microbiological management, and process efficiency. His work focuses on delivering data-driven, eco-responsible solutions that enhance system performance while minimizing environmental impact.